“Your curtsey put the others to shame,” he told her. “It was every bit worthy of a Duchess of Sedgwick.”
“I am amazed that I did not topple over in that ridiculous gown,” she told him. “One had to go sideways through the doors with those huge hoop skirts. It was all I could do not to fall on my bottom when I bowed. And the neckline was cut so fashionably low that my bosom was all but exposed to King George. But he didn’t seem to mind. As for the wig I had to wear, it weighed practically as much as a coach and four, Quinton. I thought my neck would crack with its weight.”
“I thought the doves flying amid the diamonds a rather nice touch,” he remarked, his silvery eyes twinkling.
Allegra laughed. “I vow, sir, if it were possible to use live birds some ambitious mama would do it. I prefer simple clothing.”
Like the gown she was wearing tonight, he thought as they danced the final minuet of the evening. Her high-waisted dress was a cream damask silk with an overskirt of shimmering sheer gold silk. Her little gold slippers peeped from beneath the gown, and gold ribbons were entwined amid her dark curls. Her slender neck was encircled with a strand of pearls, and she wore pearl earbobs in her ears. The effect was both elegant, rich, and yet simple. Looking really closely at her tonight he realized for the first time how absolutely beautiful Allegra was. Oh, yes, he had seen she was a beauty prior, and God only knows everyone said it. Richandbeautiful was all he heard this evening as he was congratulated. But he had not until now truly looked at Allegra.
Her heart-shaped face was perfectly formed. Her nose was straight, and just tilted ever so tightly up at its tip.Her eyebrows were thick and black, a sign of her Welsh heritage. Her violet-colored eyes, large and luminous, were edged with a heavy fall of black lashes. Her lower lip was fuller than the upper. It was a sensuous and tempting little mouth. He was even now contemplating kissing it. She was tall for a girl, but certainly not too tall for him. She was slender of limb, but her bosom was delightfully round and nicely shaped. He estimated one of her breasts would fit quite perfectly into one of his palms.
It was then he considered the possibility of bedding Allegra. He wasn’t certain how he would go about such a thing with a wife. She would, of course, be a virgin. He had never had a virgin. The fact that he didn’t love her bothered him not at all. He had never been in love with any of the women he had lain with, but this would, of course, be different. Allegra would be his wife. Could a man love a woman he bedded? Could a wife arouse his desires? Or was passion just a deliciously lustful pastime? And how would an amicably bred girl react to passion? He would have to be tender and gentle with her.
“The dance has ended, Quinton,” he suddenly heard Allegra’s voice saying. “Please pay attention, my lord, or you will have the gossips chattering about how moonstruck you are. What on earth are you thinking about?”
“Bedding you,” he answered her honestly, and was rather pleased to see the blush that came to her cheeks. Innocence was a powerful aphrodisiac he was learning, feeling a distinct tightness in his breeches.
“Ohh,” she said, and began to worry her lower lip with her small white teeth. “I had not yet considered that part of our marriage.”
After the guests had departed, he led her out onto the terrace that overlooked the garden. He sat her down upon a marble bench, and took her hand in his. “You told me you wanted children, Allegra.” His eyes scanned her face for the truth.
“Oh, I do,” she answered him quickly.
“Then we must consummate our marriage, my dear. It is the only way we shall obtain children,” the duke explained, hoping such frankness would not shock or frighten her.
“I am not a fool, Quinton!” Allegra said sharply. “I know how children are conceived. I would be a complete puddinghead if I didn’t. Every girl knows, even if she feigns ignorance.”
“But you said…,” he began.
“I said I had notyetconsidered that part of our marriage, and I haven’t, but I know it must exist between us eventually,” Allegra replied. “Do not rush me, sir. I have never even been kissed.”
“That is something I can put aright now,” he told her. Then he touched her lips with his fingertips even as Allegra’s eyes grew wide. Her lips had a texture like rose petals. The duke tilted Allegra’s face up to his and kissed her gently, his mouth pressing lightly against hers. Shyly she kissed him back, and the sweetness emanating from her lips overwhelmed him, shocked him, sent his senses reeling.
“That was very nice,” Allegra told him. “Are you a good kisser, my lord? You see I shall never know another man’s lips, so I am naturally curious as to what your lovers have thought.”
He was torn by twin urges. The first was laughter. The second was shock at her candidness. “None of theladies I have kissed, Allegra, has ever voiced displeasure,” he replied.
She sighed. “They probably wouldn’t unless you were absolutely awful at it. Women tend to be like that I have observed. We prefer peace.”
He felt irritated. “I am quite certain,” he said, “that I am an excellent kisser, Allegra. I cannot imagine why you should even ask such a question.”
“Oh, dear, I have ruffled your feathers, haven’t I, my lord? I am sorry.” But the smile upon her pretty lips contradicted her apology.
“Shall I obtain a list of satisfied ladies for you to query?” he demanded, refusing to let the matter rest. It was her first kiss, or so she claimed. She should have been thrilled down to her toes instead of demanding references attesting to his skills as a lover.
Allegra heard the annoyance in his voice, and now it was she who found herself irritated. “I am curious, Quinton,” she told him. “I have been taught that curiosity isn’t a mortal sin, but rather to be cultivated. As I told you, I have never before been kissed by a gentleman. I am sorry if my interest offended you. If you mean to wed me then you will have to get used to it, I fear.”
“I shall also have to get used to your bluntness,” he replied, his tone still distinctly annoyed.
Allegra burst out laughing. “Gracious, sir, we are having our first quarrel, and we are not even wed. I will wager that Sirena and Ocky have not quarreled yet.”
“They are in love. Cow-eyed, and moonstruck,” he answered her, a faint hint of scorn in his voice.
“And we are not in love,” Allegra said. She wasn’t certain now how she felt about that fact. Then she shook herself inwardly. Love led only to betrayal and unhappiness. Better a couple suit.
“You do not hold a grudge, do you?” the duke said to her, his humor beginning to return.
“Not often,” she responded with a small smile.
